Method and device for instructing a user

Abstract

A method instructs a user how to operate of an appliance. The method issues information via at least one output device for instructing the user with regard to the operation of the appliance. The method also identifies a control element of the device, which is to be taken into account by the user during the instruction of the latter by use of at least one marker element. A device is provided for carrying out the method.

1 - 11 . (canceled)  
   
   
       14 . A method for instructing a user during an operation of an appliance, the appliance having at least one control element, at least one marker element, and an output device being an audible and/or visual output device, which comprises the steps of: 
 outputting information for instructing the user with regard to the operation of the appliance via the output device, the information describing a control element to be actuated by the user; and    identifying the control element described with the marker element during the outputting of the information.    
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 14 , which further comprises performing the instructing of the user during operation of the appliance in steps, wherein each instruction step corresponds to an information block containing at least a part or an entirety of the information to be output.  
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 15 , which further comprises identifying the control element to be taken into account by the user during the instructing in temporal synchronization with the information block.  
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 15 , which further comprises performing the outputting of the information for instructing the user in steps depending on an actuation of an identified control element by the user.  
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 14 , which further comprises performing the outputting of the information for instructing the user in dependence on a respective operating state of the appliance.  
   
   
       19 . An appliance, comprising: 
 at least one control element being in functional relationship to the appliance;    at least one output device for providing an audible and/or visual output of information for instructing a user during an operation of the appliance, the information describing which said control element to be actuated by the user; and    at least one marker element for optically identifying said control element described during an output of the information.    
   
   
       20 . The appliance according to  claim 19 , further comprising a memory connected to said output device for storing the information.  
   
   
       21 . The appliance according to  claim 20 , wherein the information is formed from information blocks and that each individual information block corresponds to an instruction step for an operation of the appliance.  
   
   
       22 . The appliance according to  claim 21 , wherein a retrieval of at least one information block from said memory and the output of a retrieved information block to said output device is accomplished by a predetermined control element.  
   
   
       23 . The appliance according to  claim 22 , wherein the at least one information block output at said output device corresponds to a respective operating state of the appliance.  
   
   
       24 . The device according to  21 , wherein by actuating an identified control element a further information block is output on said output device and that the further information block corresponds to a respective operating state of the appliance and a next instruction step.  
   
   
       25 . The device according to  19 , wherein the appliance is a domestic appliance.